Undergraduate Academic Policy

This section describes policies that apply across the undergraduate curriculum. Faculty may establish other course specific policies.

Academic Year

Classes do not meet on certain holidays which are listed on the academic calendar published prior to the start of each academic year.

Traditional B.S.N.

The academic year for the Traditional B.S.N. is divided into two semesters, with each semester approximately sixteen weeks in length. Some classes are offered during summer sessions of varying length.

Accelerated B.S.N.

The academic year for the Accelerated B.S.N. is divided into three semesters, which occur sequentially through the calendar year. An Accelerated B.S.N. calendar is published each year which shows the specific sequence of courses and the schedule of breaks which occur between each term.

Assignment of Credit Hours

Traditional B.S.N.

Each theory credit hour is equivalent to one clock hour per week. Each clinical credit hour is equivalent to three clock hours per credit hour per week. Each lab credit hour is equivalent to two clock hours per credit hour per week. There is a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work per credit hour per week.

Accelerated B.S.N.

Since credit hours are delivered in one calendar year (three terms), clock hours per week are increased to be equivalent with the standard 15 week semester. Using the ratio of each theory credit hour is equivalent to one clock hour per week, each clinical credit hour is equivalent to three clock hours per credit hour per week, and each lab credit hour is equivalent to two clock hours per credit hour per week, total clock hours for 15 weeks are calculated, then divided by the number of weeks allocated to that specific term. There is a minimum of the equivalent of two hours of out-of-class student work per credit hour per week.

Academic Advising

Upon admission, students are assigned to Research College of Nursing faculty advisors who assist them in selecting courses, reviewing grade reports and completing degree requirements. Academic advising is under the general supervision of the Undergraduate Program Directors. While students are responsible for meeting program requirements, faculty advisors facilitate the progression of students through their program of study. Students experiencing problems may consult their faculty advisor, course faculty, the Learning Centers at Research College of Nursing or Rockhurst University, or the Counseling Center at Rockhurst University for assistance.

Attendance Policy

Students are required to attend classroom, lab and clinical sessions. Any class missed as a result of delayed or incomplete registration, failure to meet Research College of Nursing (RCN) policies, or absences accrued during suspension, are subject to the Attendance Policy.

Excessive absences: Absence is considered excessive when the total number of contact hours (classroom, lab, clinical) missed exceeds two times the number of credit hours assigned to the course. (See Assignment of Credit Hours in Undergraduate Academic Policy.) Program Directors and the Dean of Nursing will be notified when students have excessive absences.

A student may receive an Incomplete "I" for excessive absences due to illness or special circumstance. A student may be given a failing course grade (F) for excessive absences.

Classroom absences:
Students are expected to arrive promptly and stay for the entire class period. When absent, the student is responsible for contacting the course faculty as soon as possible to obtain all missed information and plan for meeting course requirements.

Laboratory/clinical absences:
All laboratory/clinical hours are required for successful completion of the course. Any student absent from laboratory/clinical must notify the instructor prior to the start time. The date/time of the make-up will be determined by RCN. For laboratory/clinical courses with a letter grade, all absences result in 0 points for the day. Students who notify faculty of absence prior to start time may earn up to 50 percent of the points for the make-up. Students who fail to notify faculty of absence will earn 0 points for the make-up.

Assessment

Research College of Nursing assesses student abilities, achievement, and satisfaction at various times throughout its academic programs. The purpose of assessment is ongoing improvement in student learning, in their overall college experience, and the overall function of the college in meeting its Mission. Students are required to complete assessment tests and other measures as part of this effort. Time is provided as part of the regular course schedule to minimize any inconvenience to students. Rockhurst University has a similar assessment process appropriate to its Mission and Purposes which nursing students participate in as Rockhurst University students. Assessment activities begin during the orientation program and continue to graduation. Alumni are also asked to complete surveys and program evaluation measures.

Academic Requirements for Enrollment

Academic Requirements Prior to Enrollment in Nursing Courses

Students will fulfill all prerequisite courses prior to enrolling in nursing courses. The APG Committee is responsible for decisions related to progression.

To enroll in 2000 level nursing courses, students must meet the Science/Math grade requirements below.

Traditional B.S.N.: Students must achieve a minimum grade of C in all Science and Math courses

Accelerated B.S.N.: Students must achieve a minimum grade of C in all Science and Math courses.

To enroll in 2000 level nursing courses, students must meet the GPA requirements below.

Traditional B.S.N. (*Effective for the class of 2021):

Students must have a minimum cumulative Rockhurst GPA of 2.8 or greater at the end of the summer of their freshman year. If students do not achieve this GPA, they will be placed on a waiting list for consideration for admission with the next cohort group the following January.

Those students who have a cumulative Rockhurst GPA of 3.0 (or a 2.8 with at least a B- in A & P II) at completion of the fall sophomore coursework may enter the January nursing cohort. Students who do not meet these criteria will be placed on a waiting list to be reconsidered for admission with the next cohort the following January.

All students placed on the waiting list will be evaluated on a competitive basis; placement on the waiting list does not guarantee admission to the nursing coursework.

Traditional B.S.N. program (For the class of 2020):

Students must have a minimum cumulative Rockhurst GPA of 2.7 or greater at the end of the summer of their freshman year. If students do not achieve this GPA, they will be placed on a waiting list for consideration for admission with the next cohort group the following January.

Those students who have a cumulative GPA of 2.7 must continue to maintain this GPA following completion of the fall sophomore coursework in order to enter the January nursing cohort. If students do not achieve a cumulative Rockhurst GPA of 2.7 for the fall semester, they will be placed on a waiting list to be reconsidered for admission with the next cohort the following January.

All students placed on the waiting list will be evaluated on a competitive basis; placement on the waiting list does not guarantee admission to the nursing coursework.

Accelerated B.S.N. program:

Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or a 2.8 with at least a B- in A & P).

Academic Requirements for Progression

Traditional B.S.N. Students

Students must achieve minimum grades in all science, and math, and nursing courses as follows in order to continue progression in the nursing program. A grade of less than C (C-, D+, D, F, WF) or an AU is not satisfactory for progression.

Accelerated B.S.N. Students

Accelerated B.S.N. students must achieve a grade of C in all nursing courses. A grade of less than C (C-, D+, D, F, WF) or an AU is not satisfactory for progression.

All Students

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 to progress in the nursing curriculum. Students whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will not be allowed to enroll in any other nursing course until they have raised their cumulative GPA to 2.0.

No nursing course may be repeated in which the student receives an original grade of C or better.

A student who receives a grade of C- or below is placed on academic probation. The Dean of Nursing shall determine when a student may repeat a course based on space available.No student will be permitted to repeat a course more than once in an attempt to achieve a grade of C or better.

A student who receives a grade of C- or below in any nursing course must repeat the entire course and achieve a minimum grade of C.

A student who receives two course grades below C (including C-, D+, D, F, NP, WF) whether in the same course or another nursing course will be dismissed from the nursing program. This policy applies to nursing courses completed at Research College as well as any completed for transfer credit.

Interruption in Enrollment

Traditional B.S.N. Program

Traditional BSN nursing students who are academically eligible to continue in the program but had an interruption in enrollment must apply for readmission through Rockhurst University. There is no application fee. The student seeking readmission should:

Traditional BSN students must complete the readmission application form located on the Rockhurst University website.

Contact the Director of Admission at Research College of Nursing.

Have up-to-date official transcripts of credit sent to Research College of Nursing from each college attended since the last enrollment at Research College of Nursing or Rockhurst University.

In all cases of re-enrollment following an interruption in continuous enrollment, the program director and appropriate course faculty will make a determination regarding repeating courses or additional requirements to assure current knowledge, on a space available basis.

Changes in Enrollment

Changes in registration for students enrolled in nursing courses must be initiated in the Office of Registrar at Research College of Nursing. Class additions will not be allowed after the first week of the semester. Students who stop attending class(es) without processing the official withdrawal forms will receive grades of F. No credit will be allowed for a course in which the student is not appropriately registered.

Classification of Students

Traditional B.S.N.

Traditional B.S.N. degree-seeking students are classified as follows:

Freshman 0-29 earned semester hours

Sophomores 30-59 earned semester hours

Juniors 60-89 earned semester hours

Seniors 90 and above earned semester hours

Enrollment Status

Traditional B.S.N.

Full-time status as an undergraduate student is defined as a minimum of 12 semester hours of credit during a regular Fall, Spring or Summer semester. An undergraduate student is considered to be attending full-time if the minimum 12 semester hours is taken over the course of multiple sessions within a regular semester. Half-time status as an undergraduate student is enrollment in 6 to 11 semester hours during a regular Fall, Spring or Summer semester.

Undergraduate enrollment status is considered to be less than half time if the student is enrolled in less than six semester hours during a regular Fall, Spring or Summer semester.

Visiting status as an undergraduate student is defined as a non-degree seeking student who may be admitted to specific courses based on certification from another school that the student is in good standing there. In addition, the student must have permission to take courses at Research College of Nursing to apply toward the program at the primary school.

Declaration of a Major

Traditional BSN students may be accepted into the nursing program as freshmen. In order to continue into upper division, students must complete a Declaration of Major Application. This application must be on file prior to the start of any 3000 level nursing course. This application will initiate a review of the student's record by the Registrar and a credit evaluation is completed to ensure that all lower division requirements have been fulfilled.

Course Progress

Using Blackboard Grade Book

Students may view their progress and grades in all nursing courses using the grade book feature of Blackboard at any time during the academic term. It is the student’s responsibility to remain aware of progress in courses and consult with course faculty if additional assistance is needed.

Using Rockhurst University Rockweb

Currently-enrolled undergraduate students may view their midterm and final semester grades on Rockhurst University’s Rockweb in a secure environment after obtaining a Personal Identification Number (PIN) from Rockhurst University Computer Services. Final grades are available for viewing after the close of the academic session or semester. Midterm grades, issued for undergraduate students, are progress reports only and do not affect the student's GPA. Undergraduate advisors may also view their advisee's midterm grades on Rockweb. Midterm grades provide an opportunity for students and advisors to discuss academic progress.

Undergraduate Grading Scale

Traditional B.S.N. and Accelerated B.S.N.

Course requirements and the methodology for assigning grades are the prerogative of the teaching faculty of each nursing course. One letter grade is recorded on the transcript for each course.

The grade schedule and equivalent numerical percentages for Research College of Nursing is as follows:

Grade Letter

Grade Score

A

93-100%

A-

90-92%

B+

88-89%

B

84-87%

B-

80-83%

C+

78-79%

C

75-77%

C-

70-74%

D+

68-69%

D

65-67%

F

0-64%

Grade Rounding Policy

Grades determined by percentages involving decimals will be rounded up to the next whole number when equal to 0.5 or greater. When the decimal is less than 0.5, the grade will be rounded down.

The quality point values for each grade are listed below. Plus and minus grades indicate upper and lower ranges of each grade category. A+ and D- are not recognized grades. Grades marked with an asterisk (*) do not allow progression in nursing courses.

Grade Letter

GPA

Definition

A

4.00

indicates the highest level of achievement and outstanding level of intellectual scholarship

A-

3.67

indicates high achievement and unusual degree of intellectual initiative

B+

3.33

indicates a consistently good level of achievement and intelligent fulfillment of course requirements in a manner that approaches the quality of the highest grade

B

3.00

indicates a good level of achievement, intelligent understanding and application of subject matter

B-

2.67

indicates attainment well above the average

C+

2.33

indicates a level of achievement and fulfillment of course requirements that somewhat exceeds average requirements

C

2.00

indicates a [work of average or] satisfactory level of work

C-*

1.67

indicates a below average, unsatisfactory and unacceptable level of work

D+*

1.33

indicates unsatisfactory and unacceptable level of work

D*

1.00

indicates work of inferior, unacceptable quality

F*

0.00

indicates work which lacks even the minimum level of understanding and is unacceptable

AU*

(Audit Status) means no credit given. Students are expected to attend all class sessions, but are not required to complete assignments or to take examinations

I*

(Incomplete) means incomplete and may be assigned only for serious reasons. Program Directors and the Dean of Nursing will be notified. An incomplete must be removed within six weeks or it will automatically become an F

NP*

(No Pass) means an unsatisfactory performance in a clinical course that will not add credit and will not affect the grade point average but will count as a failure in a nursing course

P

(Pass) means a satisfactory performance in a clinical course that will add credit but will not affect the grade point average

X*

means absence from final examination; may be assigned only when an extension of time has been granted for serious reasons; must be removed within six weeks or automatically becomes an F

W*

(Withdraw) means the student was allowed to withdraw without penalty

WF*

0.00

(Withdraw Fail) means the student was failing at the time of withdrawal and will not affect the grade point average, but will count as a failure in a nursing course

All grades are part of the student's academic record and are computed in the student's cumulative GPA (except those indicated above) and are applicable under any dismissal policy. Grades of C-, D+, D or F are not calculated in a student's cumulative GPA after the student has successfully repeated the course with a grade of C or above. Course grades of C-, D, D+, F, WF, or NP remain part of the academic record and are subject to the dismissal policy.

Assignment of Grades for Undergraduate Courses

Theory Courses

The student must achieve at least a 75% exam average to successfully complete the course. The final course grade for students who earn at least 75% will be determined by the total course points. The final course grade for students who earn less than 75% will be the exam average.

Students will receive a C- if the average is 70-74%; a D+ if the average is 68-69%; a D if the average is 65-67%; and, an F for a grade equal to or below 64%, as noted in the undergraduate grading scale.

Combined Theory and Laboratory/Clinical Courses

The student must achieve at least a 75% exam average in theory and at least a 75% performance evaluation in laboratory/clinical to successfully complete this course. The final course grade for students who earn at least 75% in both theory and laboratory/clinical will be determined by the total course points.

Students who do not earn a 75% exam average in theory or 75% performance in laboratory/clinical will receive a final course grade that reflects the lowest percentage of the two (theory or laboratory/clinical).

Students who do not earn a 75% in both theory and laboratory/clinical, will receive a final course grade that reflects the highest percentage of the two (theory or laboratory/clinical).

Students will receive a C- if the average is 70-74%; a D+ if the average is 68-69%; a D if the average is 65-67%; and, an F for a grade equal to or below 64%, as noted in the undergraduate grading scale.

Transcripts of Records

No transcript, official or unofficial, or Certification of Education will be issued to or for a student or alumnus who is delinquent in financial obligations to Rockhurst University or Research College of Nursing. Undergraduate students wishing transcripts of records to transfer from Research College of Nursing to another college or for other purposes should submit a written, signed request to the Registrar at Rockhurst University.

Withdrawal from the Nursing Program

Students desiring to withdraw from courses during a semester must secure a withdrawal form from the Office of the Registrar and have it signed by the student’s academic advisor, course coordinator(s), and Dean.

Courses dropped during the Drop/Add period (first 7 days) are not recorded on the student’s academic record. Courses dropped after the Drop/Add period are recorded with grade notations of W (withdrawal) or WF (withdrawal failing). The assignment of the grade when withdrawing is determined by the student’s academic performance at the time of withdrawal. The last date for withdrawal is the date established by the Rockhurst University Registrar’s Office and published on the Academic Calendar (2/3 of the scheduled term) unless otherwise noted in the course syllabus and calendar. Following the 2/3 date, course withdrawal will not be allowed.

Tuition and fees paid by a student authorized to withdraw are refundable only as indicated under Refunds from the “Tuition and Fees” section of this catalog. Failure to process withdrawals prior to the last date of withdrawal will result in a grade of F.

A student who withdraws during the semester/term or before final examinations forfeits credit for work done that semester/term. Any student who wishes to withdraw from a course should confer with the course faculty and advisor. The student's right to withdraw remains regardless of the course faculty or advisor's recommendation.

This policy applies regardless of the length of the course. The procedures and deadlines for withdrawal from individual courses also apply to changes to audit status in any class.

Academic Probation

An undergraduate student who receives a final course grade of C- or below in one nursing course, assuming their GPA is above a 2.0, is placed on academic probation until such time as the course is successfully repeated. If a student earns a grade of C- or below in the repeated course or in another nursing course, the student will be dismissed from the program.

Suspension

A student may be suspended from any classroom, lab or clinical session for inappropriate or unsafe behavior or failure to adhere to any Research College of Nursing Academic Policies. Suspension may last from several hours to one calendar year. Suspension results in denied access to Blackboard for quizzes, exams, assignments or other course related materials in every course in which a student is enrolled. Suspension means that the student may not attend class, lab or clinical AND will not be allowed to make up any work or assignments or exams that are due during the suspension.

Faculty imposed: Faculty are solely responsible for making the immediate decision to suspend a student from classroom, clinical, or lab sessions in progress for inappropriate or unsafe behaviors. At the time of a suspension by the faculty, conditions for reinstatement are explained. Failure to meet the conditions of reinstatement may result in course failure.

College imposed: The Dean of Nursing is solely responsible for imposing suspension for failure to adhere to Research College of Nursing academic policies. At the time of a suspension by the Dean of Nursing, the conditions of reinstatement are explained. Failure to meet the conditions of reinstatement may result in course failure or dismissal from the nursing program. The student cannot attend classroom, lab or clinical sessions during the suspension.